12 Great Places to Drink Outdoors in NYC This Summer

Say what you want about New York’s unforgiving seasons—which go from bone-chillingly cold to unbearably muggy overnight—but watching New Yorkers come out of hibernation after a long winter is one of the great joys of living in this city. Coats are left at home, clunky boots are swapped out for sandals, and every borough bursts with color. After this last unseasonably cool and damp spring, it appears that summer 2017 is finally on its way. And once the temperature heats up enough, there will come the inevitable question: Where will we be getting our alfresco drinks? Here, a selection of new openings and classic favorites where you can indulge under the sun all summer long.

Grand BanksA cult favorite, this delightful restaurant occupies a historic wooden schooner parked at Pier 25 in Tribeca. Gorgeous yellow-and-white–striped awnings, a tall wooden mast, and an open-air bar frame exquisite Hudson River sunsets and views of lower Manhattan. While there is food service, the name of the game here is oysters, rosé, and craft cocktails.

Island OysterThe variety of festivals, picnics, and goings-on might make this the summer that you finally take the ferry over to Governors Island. And with the opening of Island Oyster—a seasonal oyster, beer, and cocktail bar coming later this year—you at least know you’ll be able to get a decent oyster and Dark ’n’ Stormy while on the island. Furthermore, Island Oyster has partnered with the nonprofit Billion Oyster Project (also operating on Governors Island) to create a sustainable oyster program that features off-bottom cultivated oysters and on-site oyster shell reclamation, for use in creating new oyster reefs to repopulate the oyster beds of New York Harbor. Island Oyster will be situated on a spectacular waterfront site overlooking Manhattan and the confluence of the Hudson and East Rivers—a sight worth leaving Manhattan to see.

PilotThe guys who brought us Grand Banks have their sights set on Brooklyn and will open their latest “oyster bar on a classic boat” concept in Brooklyn Bridge Park this summer. Built in 1924 by J.F. James & Son in Essex, Massachusetts, Pilot is 154 feet of remarkable, historic maritime craftsmanship and is currently an eligible candidate for the National Register of Historic Places. The bad news? You’ll have to wait until late June for her to set sail. The good news? Brooklyn-based enthusiasts of Grand Banks won’t have to haul over to the West Side to get their schooner on this summer.

The RoofWhoever says you can’t see nature in midtown Manhattan hasn’t been to this posh Gerber Group spot atop the Viceroy hotel. If you can squeeze in the elevator during happy hour, you’ll be treated to a near-flawless sunset over an unobstructed view of Central Park. Try the Spicy Paloma—a tequila-grapefruit cocktail that has just the right amount of kick.

ElsaYou might be curious as to why wines and beers come out of a repurposed sewing machine at this Cobble Hill reboot of a former East Village mainstay. Turns out it’s a tribute to the bar’s namesake, Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. There’s a darling little yard in the back where you can enjoy one of the bar’s many refreshing cocktails, such as the Hotel Danger, which includes peach mezcal, chipotle agave, lemon, Aperol, and a grapefruit twist.

Frying PanThe old battle-ax of outdoor drinking in New York, this historic boat has a remarkable story, to say the least. Built in 1929, it was a fully functioning lightship in Cape Fear, North Carolina, for roughly 35 years, at one point sunk to the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay, where it remained for three years. It was purchased, salvaged, and de-barnacled (for the most part) and, in turn, parked on Manhattan’s West Side and turned into a bar. This dive isn’t a mixology hot spot or known for its sophisticated wine list—come here for Corona buckets and generous pitchers of sangria.

BeaubourgIf you think this Battery Park City spot is too corporate and for lunch only, you’re mistaken—the outdoor patio at Beaubourg, located at Le District inside Brookfield Place, is positively happening, especially with the midweek happy hour crowd. There’s a substantial beverage list with an emphasis on French wines, Belgian craft beers, and even a Frosé All Day frozen cocktail. Enjoy the breeze as you watch sailboats come in and out of North Cove Harbor and maybe, after enough rosé, you’ll forget you’re still in the city for a moment.

Bohemian Hall and Beer GardenAn essential part of summer in the city is enjoying an afternoon visiting this Queens biergarten, a classic New York experience. It’s got a great selection of Czech and other craft beers on tap—like Czechvar and Franziskaner—as well as bottled and gluten-free options, too. And if you end up having one too many pitchers and losing track of time, you’ll be pleased to learn that the Bohemian also has a killer, hearty dinner menu, including one of the best goulashes in town.

WatermarkThis ultra-modern watering hole takes up most of Pier 15 on the East Side of downtown Manhattan. Come for the large-format cocktails that are fun for groups (like a margarita with a swirl of sour cherry), but stay for the iconic view of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

La BirreriaIt doesn’t really get more New York than this. Located 14 stories above Eataly, the menu here contains an impressive selection of craft beers from both Italy and the United States. Raise a glass or two as you enjoy the views of the Flatiron, Empire State, and MetLife clock tower buildings. Then on your way out, grab some of Eataly’s scrumptious homemade pasta and fresh mozzarella to bring home.

Northern TerritoryWith the prevalence of Australian coffee shops taking over the city (Bluestone Lane, Toby’s Estate Coffee, Two Hands, et al.), it seems only natural that an Australian bar would be popular too. After all, who wouldn’t want to flirt with an Aussie bartender while drinking a cocktail as fun to pronounce as it is to drink? Try ordering a Walpanalpa five times fast—a dangerous mix of gin, absinthe, chartreuse, and lime juice. It doesn’t hurt that this open-air Greenpoint space has killer views of Manhattan’s East River skyline.

Swan DiveYou probably never thought that the Gowanus Canal would be a summer hot spot, but this 10,000-square-foot outdoor patio is a veritable haven during the summer months. Long picnic tables make this an ideal destination for large groups, and twinkle lights strung overhead keep the vibe chill and surprisingly picturesque (you’ll hardly notice you’re on the Gowanus). Try your hand at a round of cornhole, then beat the heat with the cheekily named Topless at Fort Tilden, a tart blend of Old Overholt whiskey, lemonade, and cherry bitters.